Air cleaning systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An HVAC system having an air cleaner, a fan configured to selectively generate an air flow, wherein at least a portion of the air flow is passed through the air cleaner, and a controller configured to control the air cleaner in response to at least one of a setting for controlling the fan and an operation characteristic of the fan is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of the prior filed and co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/025,420 filed Feb. 11, 2011 by John MarkHagan and entitled “Air Cleaning Systems and Methods,” which isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Some air cleaners are configured to remove particulate matter from airusing a process sometimes referred to as electrostatic precipitation.Some air cleaners comprise electrostatic precipitators configured toperform differently in response to the characteristics of the electricalenergy supply. In some cases, an air cleaner may comprise a fanconfigured to draw or push air through a passage of the air cleaner. Inother cases, an air cleaner may be used in combination with a heating,ventilation, and/or air conditioning system (HVAC system) so that a fanof the HVAC system may be operated to draw or push air through a passageof the air cleaner.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In some embodiments of the disclosure, an HVAC system is provided thatcomprises an air cleaner, a fan configured to selectively generate anair flow, wherein at least a portion of the air flow is passed throughthe air cleaner. The HVAC system further comprises a controllerconfigured to control the air cleaner in response to at least one of asetting for controlling the fan and an operation characteristic of thefan.

In other embodiments of the disclosure, a method of controlling an aircleaner is provided that comprises determining an air flow relatedcriterion value, wherein the air flow is associated with an air flowthrough an air cleaner. The method further comprises comparing thedetermined air flow related criterion value to a threshold criterionvalue and controlling the air cleaner as a function of a result ofcomparing the determined air flow related criterion value to thethreshold criterion value.

In still other embodiments of the disclosure, a method of controlling anozone concentration outputted by an air cleaner is provided. The methodcomprises establishing a functional relationship between an air flowrelated criterion and a correlated power level setting of an aircleaner, wherein the air flow related criterion is associated with a fanconfigured to selectively generate an air flow at least partiallydirected through the air cleaner. The method further comprisesdetermining an air flow related criterion value, using the determinedair flow related criterion value and the functional relationship todetermine a correlated power level setting value, and controlling theair cleaner as a function of the determined correlated power levelsetting value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following briefdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings anddetailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent likeparts.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of an HVAC system according toan embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of the air circulation pathsfor a structure conditioned by two HVAC systems of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3E are partial views of graphical user interfaces of the HVACsystem of FIG. 1 for use in controlling an indoor fan of the HVAC systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of a graphical user interface of the HVACsystem of FIG. 1 for use in controlling an air cleaner of the HVACsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart of a method of controlling an aircleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a simplified flowchart of another method of controlling an aircleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a simplified flowchart of yet another method of controlling anair cleaner according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a general-purpose processor (e.g., electroniccontroller or computer) system suitable for implementing the embodimentsof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some electrostatic precipitation air cleaners generate ozone as abyproduct of the electrostatic precipitation process. Some air cleanersgenerate a substantially constant amount of ozone in response tooperation of the air cleaner at a constant power level setting of theair cleaner, filter efficiency setting of the air cleaner, and/or otheroperating characteristic of the air cleaner. However, while the amountof ozone generated by the air cleaner, in some embodiments, may besubstantially constant, a volumetric air flow-rate of air passingthrough the air cleaner may vary. It follows that such a constant rateof ozone generation combined with a variable volumetric flow-rate of airthrough the air filter generally results in variations of theconcentration of ozone in the air outputted from the air cleaner. Putanother way, some air cleaners may provide outputted air having an ozoneconcentration that is not substantially constant over time and the ozoneconcentration of the outputted air may be a function of the volumetricflow-rate of the air exiting the air filter.

In some cases, controlling concentrations of ozone in air outputted froman air cleaner may be desirable. Accordingly, this disclosure providessystems and methods for affecting an ozone concentration of airoutputted from an air cleaner. In some embodiments, the ozoneconcentration may be affected by controlling the rate at which an aircleaner generates ozone as a function of one or more of user inputtedcontrol preferences, measured feedback, control signals, and/or anyother factor indicative of a desired, measured, and/or predictedvolumetric flow-rate of air associated with the air cleaner. While thisdisclosure may concentrate in great detail on embodiments of an HVACsystem comprising an air cleaner, in some cases, having one or more ofthe features described above, it will be appreciated that thisdisclosure additionally explicitly contemplates embodiments of asubstantially stand-alone air cleaner, in some cases, having one or moreof the feature described above.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a simplified schematic diagram of an HVACsystem 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. HVACsystem 100 comprises an indoor unit 102, an outdoor unit 104, and asystem controller 106. In some embodiments, the system controller 106may operate to control operation of the indoor unit 102 and/or theoutdoor unit 104. As shown, the HVAC system 100 is a so-called heat pumpsystem that may be selectively operated to implement one or moresubstantially closed thermodynamic refrigeration cycles to provide acooling functionality and/or a heating functionality.

Indoor unit 102 comprises an indoor heat exchanger 108, an indoor fan110, and an indoor metering device 112. Indoor heat exchanger 108 is aplate fin heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange betweenrefrigerant carried within internal tubing of the indoor heat exchanger108 and fluids that contact the indoor heat exchanger 108 but that arekept segregated from the refrigerant. In other embodiments, indoor heatexchanger 108 may comprise a spine fin heat exchanger, a microchannelheat exchanger, or any other suitable type of heat exchanger.

The indoor fan 110 is a centrifugal blower comprising a blower housing,a blower impeller at least partially disposed within the blower housing,and a blower motor configured to selectively rotate the blower impeller.In other embodiments, the indoor fan 110 may comprise a mixed-flow fanand/or any other suitable type of fan. The indoor fan 110 is configuredas a modulating and/or variable speed fan capable of being operated atmany speeds over one or more ranges of speeds. In other embodiments, theindoor fan 110 may be configured a multiple speed fan capable of beingoperated at a plurality of operating speeds by selectively electricallypowering different ones of multiple electromagnetic windings of a motorof the indoor fan 110. In yet other embodiments, the indoor fan 110 maybe a single speed fan.

The indoor metering device 112 is an electronically controlled motordriven electronic expansion valve (EEV). In alternative embodiments, theindoor metering device 112 may comprise a thermostatic expansion valve,a capillary tube assembly, and/or any other suitable metering device.The indoor metering device 112 may comprise and/or be associated with arefrigerant check valve and/or refrigerant bypass for use when adirection of refrigerant flow through the indoor metering device 112 issuch that the indoor metering device 112 is not intended to meter orotherwise substantially restrict flow of the refrigerant through theindoor metering device 112.

Outdoor unit 104 comprises an outdoor heat exchanger 114, a compressor116, an outdoor fan 118, an outdoor metering device 120, and a reversingvalve 122. Outdoor heat exchanger 114 is a microchannel heat exchangerconfigured to allow heat exchange between refrigerant carried withininternal passages of the outdoor heat exchanger 114 and fluids thatcontact the outdoor heat exchanger 114 but that are kept segregated fromthe refrigerant. In other embodiments, the outdoor heat exchanger 114may comprise a spine fin heat exchanger, a plate fin heat exchanger, orany other suitable type of heat exchanger.

The compressor 116 is a multiple speed scroll type compressor configuredto selectively pump refrigerant at a plurality of mass flow rates. Inalternative embodiments, the compressor 116 may comprise a modulatingcompressor capable of operation over one or more speed ranges, thecompressor 116 may comprise a reciprocating type compressor, thecompressor 116 may be a single speed compressor, and/or the compressor116 may comprise any other suitable refrigerant compressor and/orrefrigerant pump.

The outdoor fan 118 is an axial fan comprising a fan blade assembly andfan motor configured to selectively rotate the fan blade assembly. Inother embodiments, the outdoor fan 118 may comprise a mixed-flow fan, acentrifugal blower, and/or any other suitable type of fan and/or blower.The outdoor fan 118 is configured as a modulating and/or variable speedfan capable of being operated at many speeds over one or more ranges ofspeeds. In other embodiments, the outdoor fan 118 may be configured as amultiple speed fan capable of being operated at a plurality of operatingspeeds by selectively electrically powering different ones of multipleelectromagnetic windings of a motor of the outdoor fan 118. In yet otherembodiments, the outdoor fan 118 may be a single speed fan.

The outdoor metering device 120 is a thermostatic expansion valve. Inalternative embodiments, the outdoor metering device 120 may comprise anelectronically controlled motor driven EEV, a capillary tube assembly,and/or any other suitable metering device. The outdoor metering device120 may comprise and/or be associated with a refrigerant check valveand/or refrigerant bypass for use when a direction of refrigerant flowthrough the outdoor metering device 120 is such that the outdoormetering device 120 is not intended to meter or otherwise substantiallyrestrict flow of the refrigerant through the outdoor metering device120.

The reversing valve 122 is a so-called four-way reversing valve. Thereversing valve 122 may be selectively controlled to alter a flow pathof refrigerant in the HVAC system 100 as described in greater detailbelow. The reversing valve 122 may comprise an electrical solenoid orother device configured to selectively move a component of the reversingvalve 122 between operational positions.

The system controller 106 may comprise a touchscreen interface fordisplaying information and for receiving user inputs. The systemcontroller 106 may display information related to the operation of theHVAC system 100 and may receive user inputs related to operation of theHVAC system 100. However, the system controller 106 may further beoperable to display information and receive user inputs tangentiallyand/or unrelated to operation of the HVAC system 100. In someembodiments, the system controller 106 may selectively communicate withan indoor controller 124 of the indoor unit 102, with an outdoorcontroller 126 of the outdoor unit 104, and/or with other components ofthe HVAC system 100. In some embodiments, the system controller 106 maybe configured for selective bidirectional communication over acommunication bus 128. In some embodiments, portions of thecommunication bus 128 may comprise a three-wire connection suitable forcommunicating messages between the system controller 106 and one or moreof the HVAC system 100 components configured for interfacing with thecommunication bus 128. Still further, the system controller 106 may beconfigured to selectively communicate with HVAC system 100 componentsand/or other device 130 via a communication network 132. In someembodiments, the communication network 132 may comprise a telephonenetwork and the other device 130 may comprise a telephone. In someembodiments, the communication network 132 may comprise the Internet andthe other device 130 may comprise a so-called smartphone and/or otherInternet enabled mobile telecommunication device.

The indoor controller 124 may be carried by the indoor unit 102 and maybe configured to receive information inputs, transmit informationoutputs, and otherwise communicate with the system controller 106, theoutdoor controller 126, and/or any other device via the communicationbus 128 and/or any other suitable medium of communication. In someembodiments, the indoor controller 124 may be configured to communicatewith an indoor personality module 134, receive information related to aspeed of the indoor fan 110, transmit a control output to an electricheat relay, transmit information regarding an indoor fan 110 volumetricflow-rate, communicate with and/or otherwise affect control over an aircleaner 136, and communicate with an indoor EEV controller 138. In someembodiments, the indoor controller 124 may be configured to communicatewith an indoor fan controller 142 and/or otherwise affect control overoperation of the indoor fan 110. In some embodiments, the indoorpersonality module 134 may comprise information related to theidentification and/or operation of the indoor unit 102.

In some embodiments, the indoor EEV controller 138 may be configured toreceive information regarding temperatures and pressures of therefrigerant in the indoor unit 102. More specifically, the indoor EEVcontroller 138 may be configured to receive information regardingtemperatures and pressures of refrigerant entering, exiting, and/orwithin the indoor heat exchanger 108. Further, the indoor EEV controller138 may be configured to communicate with the indoor metering device 112and/or otherwise affect control over the indoor metering device 112.

The outdoor controller 126 may be carried by the outdoor unit 104 andmay be configured to receive information inputs, transmit informationoutputs, and otherwise communicate with the system controller 106, theindoor controller 124, and/or any other device via the communication bus128 and/or any other suitable medium of communication. In someembodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured to communicatewith an outdoor personality module 140 that may comprise informationrelated to the identification and/or operation of the outdoor unit 104.In some embodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured toreceive information related to an ambient temperature associated withthe outdoor unit 104, information related to a temperature of theoutdoor heat exchanger 114, and/or information related to refrigeranttemperatures and/or pressures of refrigerant entering, exiting, and/orwithin the outdoor heat exchanger 114 and/or the compressor 116. In someembodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured to transmitinformation related to monitoring, communicating with, and/or otherwiseaffecting control over the outdoor fan 118, a compressor sump heater, asolenoid of the reversing valve 122, a relay associated with adjustingand/or monitoring a refrigerant charge of the HVAC system 100, aposition of the indoor metering device 112, and/or a position of theoutdoor metering device 120. The outdoor controller 126 may further beconfigured to communicate with a compressor drive controller 144 that isconfigured to electrically power and/or control the compressor 116.

The HVAC system 100 is shown configured for operating in a so-calledcooling mode in which heat is absorbed by refrigerant at the indoor heatexchanger 108 and heat is rejected from the refrigerant at the outdoorheat exchanger 114. In some embodiments, the compressor 116 may beoperated to compress refrigerant and pump the relatively hightemperature and high pressure compressed refrigerant from the compressor116 to the outdoor heat exchanger 114 through the reversing valve 122and to the outdoor heat exchanger 114. As the refrigerant is passedthrough the outdoor heat exchanger 114, the outdoor fan 118 may beoperated to move air into contact with the outdoor heat exchanger 114,thereby transferring heat from the refrigerant to the air surroundingthe outdoor heat exchanger 114. The refrigerant may primarily compriseliquid phase refrigerant and the refrigerant may be pumped from theoutdoor heat exchanger 114 to the indoor metering device 112 throughand/or around the outdoor metering device 120 which does notsubstantially impede flow of the refrigerant in the cooling mode. Theindoor metering device 112 may meter passage of the refrigerant throughthe indoor metering device 112 so that the refrigerant downstream of theindoor metering device 112 is at a lower pressure than the refrigerantupstream of the indoor metering device 112. The pressure differentialacross the indoor metering device 112 allows the refrigerant downstreamof the indoor metering device 112 to expand and/or at least partiallyconvert to gaseous phase. The gaseous phase refrigerant may enter theindoor heat exchanger 108. As the refrigerant is passed through theindoor heat exchanger 108, the indoor fan 110 may be operated to moveair into contact with the indoor heat exchanger 108, therebytransferring heat to the refrigerant from the air surrounding the indoorheat exchanger 108. The refrigerant may thereafter reenter thecompressor 116 after passing through the reversing valve 122.

To operate the HVAC system 100 in the so-called heating mode, thereversing valve 122 may be controlled to alter the flow path of therefrigerant, the indoor metering device 112 may be disabled and/orbypassed, and the outdoor metering device 120 may be enabled. In theheating mode, refrigerant may flow from the compressor 116 to the indoorheat exchanger 108 through the reversing valve 122, the refrigerant maybe substantially unaffected by the indoor metering device 112, therefrigerant may experience a pressure differential across the outdoormetering device 120, the refrigerant may pass through the outdoor heatexchanger 114, and the refrigerant may reenter the compressor 116 afterpassing through the reversing valve 122. Most generally, operation ofthe HVAC system 100 in the heating mode reverses the roles of the indoorheat exchanger 108 and the outdoor heat exchanger 114 as compared totheir operation in the cooling mode.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a simplified schematic diagram of the aircirculation paths for a structure 200 conditioned by two HVAC systems100 is shown. In this embodiment, the structure 200 is conceptualized ascomprising a lower floor 202 and an upper floor 204. The lower floor 202comprises zones 206, 208, and 210 while the upper floor 204 compriseszones 212, 214, and 216. The HVAC system 100 associated with the lowerfloor 202 is configured to circulate and/or condition air of lower zones206, 208, and 210 while the HVAC system 100 associated with the upperfloor 204 is configured to circulate and/or condition air of upper zones212, 214, and 216.

In addition to the components of HVAC system 100 described above, inthis embodiment, each HVAC system 100 further comprises a ventilator146, a prefilter 148, a humidifier 150, and a bypass duct 152. Theventilator 146 may be operated to selectively exhaust circulating air tothe environment and/or introduce environmental air into the circulatingair. The prefilter 148 may generally comprise a filter media selected tocatch and/or retain relatively large particulate matter prior to airexiting the prefilter 148 and entering the air cleaner 136. Thehumidifier 150 may be operated to adjust a relative humidity of thecirculating air. The bypass duct 152 may be utilized to regulate airpressures within the ducts that form the circulating air flow paths. Insome embodiments, air flow through the bypass duct 152 may be regulatedby a bypass damper 154 while air flow delivered to the zones 206, 208,210, 212, 214, and 216 may be regulated by zone dampers 156.

Still further, each HVAC system 100 may further comprise a zonethermostat 158 and a zone sensor 160. In some embodiments, a zonethermostat 158 may communicate with the system controller 106 and mayallow a user to control a temperature, humidity, and/or otherenvironmental setting for the zone in which the zone thermostat 158 islocated. Further, the zone thermostat 158 may communicate with thesystem controller 106 to provide temperature, humidity, and/or otherenvironmental feedback regarding the zone in which the zone thermostat158 is located. In some embodiments, a zone sensor 160 may communicatewith the system controller 106 to provide temperature, humidity, and/orother environmental feedback regarding the zone in which the zone sensor160 is located.

While HVAC systems 100 are shown as a so-called split system comprisingan indoor unit 102 located separately from the outdoor unit 104,alternative embodiments of an HVAC system 100 may comprise a so-calledpackage system in which one or more of the components of the indoor unit102 and one or more of the components of the outdoor unit 104 arecarried together in a common housing or package. The HVAC system 100 isshown as a so-called ducted system where the indoor unit 102 is locatedremote from the conditioned zones, thereby requiring air ducts to routethe circulating air. However, in alternative embodiments, an HVAC system100 may be configured as a non-ducted system in which the indoor unit102 and/or multiple indoor units 102 associated with an outdoor unit 104is located substantially in the space and/or zone to be conditioned bythe respective indoor units 102, thereby not requiring air ducts toroute the air conditioned by the indoor units 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3E, graphical user interfaces of systemcontroller 106 related to selecting an indoor fan 110 mode of operationare shown. In some embodiments, at least one of the system controller106 and the zone thermostat 158 of an HVAC system 100 may allow a userto designate a preferred indoor fan 110 mode of operation. In someembodiments, the user may select between an “Auto” fan mode, an “On” fanmode, and a “Circulate” fan mode. As shown in FIG. 3A, a user mayactuate a virtual button 302 to select the Auto fan mode, virtual button304 to select the On fan mode, or virtual button 306 to select theCirculate fan mode. In some embodiments, when the Auto fan mode isselected and thereafter enabled, the indoor fan 110 may run when theHVAC system 100 is operating in either the cooling mode to meet a demandfor cooling or the heating mode to meet a demand for heating. However,with the Auto fan mode enabled, once the demand for cooling or heatinghas been met and the HVAC system 100 is no longer operating to meet sucha demand, operation of the indoor fan 110 may be discontinued.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, when the fan On mode is selected andthereafter enabled, the indoor fan 110 may be operated during both theoperation of the HVAC system 100 to meet a demand for heat or cool aswell as when the HVAC system 100 is not operating to meet a demand forheat or cool. In other words, when the fan On mode is enabled, theindoor fan 110 may be operated substantially constantly unless someother HVAC system 100 feature is caused to override such operation.Further, selection of the virtual button 304 may cause presentation of avirtual button 308 configured to present “Fan Options.”

Referring now to FIG. 3C, a graphical user interface displaying fanoptions is provide in response to actuation of the virtual button 308.The graphical user interface of FIG. 3C may allow a user to designate aspeed and/or percentage of operating capacity at which the indoor fan110 should operate when the indoor fan 110 is operated according to thefan On mode but where the indoor fan 110 is not being operated becausethe HVAC system 100 is operating to meet a demand for cooling orheating. In some embodiments, a user may select between a high, medium,and/or low fan speed setting. In some embodiments, the high speedsetting may result in setting the indoor fan 110 to operate at about100% fan speed and/or to provide 100% air flow. In some embodiments, themedium speed setting may result in setting the indoor fan 110 to operateat about 75% fan speed and/or to provide about 75% air flow. In someembodiments, the low speed setting may result in setting the indoor fan110 to operate at about 50% fan speed and/or to provide about 50% airflow. However, in some embodiments, a user may be allowed to designate aparticular percentage of fan speed and/or to designate a particularpercentage of air flow by one of directly entering a desired value orselecting a desired value from a range of allowed values. For example, auser may be allowed to select any value from 25% to 100% in 5%increments by selectively actuating virtual buttons 310. Of course, inalternative embodiments, the ranges of available values may vary byhaving an available value of lower than 25%, above 100%, and/or inincrements other than 5% increments.

Referring to FIG. 3D, when the fan Circulate mode is selected andthereafter enabled, the indoor fan 110 may be operated during both theoperation of the HVAC system 100 to meet a demand for heat or cool aswell as for a user selected duration per period of time. For example, insome embodiments, the period of time may be one hour and the userselected duration may be some time duration equal to or less than onehour. Further, selection of the virtual button 306 may causepresentation of a virtual button 312 configured to present “FanOptions.”

Referring now to FIG. 3E, a graphical user interface displaying fanoptions is provide in response to actuation of the virtual button 312.The graphical user interface of FIG. 3E may allow a user to designate aspeed and/or percentage of operating capacity at which the indoor fan110 should operate when the indoor fan 110 is operated according to thefan Circulate mode but where the indoor fan 110 is not being operatedbecause the HVAC system 100 is operating to meet a demand for cooling orheating. In some embodiments, a user may select between a high, medium,and/or low fan speed setting. In some embodiments, the fan speed may beselected by a user in a manner substantially similar to that describedabove with respect to the user interface of FIG. 3C. Further, thegraphical user interface of FIG. 3E may allow a user to designate acirculation duration by one of directly entering a desired value orselecting a desired value from a range of allowed values. For example, auser may be allowed to select any value from 10 minutes per hour to 60minutes per hour in 5 minute increments by selectively actuating virtualbuttons 314. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the ranges ofavailable values may vary by having an available value of lower than 10minutes and/or in increments other than 5 minute increments. In yetother alternative embodiments, the duration may be a portion of a periodof time different than one hour. For example, in some embodiments, auser may be allowed to designate a circulation duration per day. Assuch, a user may effectively control the indoor fan 110 to operate forat least a selected duration of time per each period. In someembodiments, the amount of time the indoor fan 110 is operated while theHVAC system 100 is operated to meet a demand for cooling or heating maycount toward to the circulation duration of indoor fan 110 operationspecified by the user.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a graphical user interface of system controller106 related to selecting a power level setting for the air cleaner 136is shown. In some embodiments, the air cleaner 136 may comprise anelectrostatic precipitation air cleaner and the air cleaner may comprisean electrically powered component referred to as a field charger. Insome embodiments, varying the electrical supply to the field charger mayvary a resultant rate of ozone generated by the air cleaner 136. Forexample, in some embodiments, providing relatively higher voltage to thefield charger may relatively increase a rate of ozone produced by theair cleaner 136 as compared to a rate of ozone produced by the aircleaner 136 when a relatively lower voltage is provided to the fieldcharger. In some embodiments, the air cleaner 136 may be configured tooperate at one of three power level settings, high, medium, and low,each setting being indicative of relative voltage levels provided to thefield charger.

In alternative embodiments, an air cleaner 136 may be configured toselectively modulate and/or vary a power level setting over one or moreranges of power levels. For example, the air cleaner 136 may even becapable of adjusting a voltage supplied to a field charger so that arate of ozone produced by the air cleaner 136 is adjustable over arelatively large range of values at which the air cleaner 136 may beeffectively operated. Still further, in alternative embodiments of anair cleaner 136, the air cleaner 136 may comprise other components thatcontribute to a rate of ozone generated by the air cleaner 136 inaddition to or instead of a field charger. During subsequent discussionof a so-called air cleaner power setting and/or field charger powersetting, it will be appreciated that it is intended that operating anair cleaner 136 at a relatively higher setting is meant to control theair cleaner 136 and/or one or more of the components of the air cleaner136 to have a first or higher rate of ozone production while operatingthe air cleaner 136 at a relatively lower setting is meant to controlthe air cleaner 136 and/or one or more of the components of the aircleaner 136 to have a second or relatively lower rate of ozoneproduction as compared to the first or higher rate of ozone production.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a simplified flowchart of a method 500 ofcontrolling an air cleaner 136 is shown. As represented at block 502,the method 500 may comprise determining an air flow related criterionfor use in controlling the air cleaner 136. The air flow relatedcriterion may comprise information related to an indoor fan 110 speedsetting, a measured speed of the indoor fan 110, an estimated,calculated, predicted, and/or actual value of volumetric flow-rateassociated with the indoor fan 110 and/or the air cleaner 136. Forexample, the air flow related criterion may comprise the unitless indoorfan 110 speed setting at which the HVAC system 100 uses to regulate aspeed of the indoor fan 110. As described previously, the unitlessindoor fan 110 speed setting may vary over time as a result of operatingthe indoor fan 110 according to the various indoor fan 110 operatingmodes described above with reference to FIGS. 3A-3E. More specifically,in some embodiments, the unitless indoor fan 110 speed setting may havea value of 0% to 100%, or above.

As represented at block 504, the method 500 may further comprise settinga threshold criterion value. For example, in some embodiments, thethreshold criterion value may be set as a unitless indoor fan 110 speedof 100%.

As represented at block 506, the method 500 may further comprisedetermining a substantially current value of the air flow relatedcriterion. For example, in some embodiments, a current indoor fan 110speed setting value may be determined.

As represented at block 508, the method 500 may further comprisecomparing the determined substantially current value of the air flowrelated criterion to the threshold criterion value. In some embodiments,the comparison may comprise determining whether the determinedsubstantially current value of the air flow related criterion is equalto or greater than the threshold criterion value.

As represented at block 510, the method 500 may further comprisecontrolling the air cleaner 136 as a function of the results of thecomparison made at block 508.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a simplified flowchart of a method 600 ofcontrolling an air cleaner 136 is shown. At block 602, a substantiallycurrent value of the indoor fan 110 speed setting is determined. Atblock 604, it is determined whether the substantially current value ofthe indoor fan 110 speed setting is equal to or greater than 100%. Asrepresented at block 606, if it is determined that the substantiallycurrent value of the indoor fan 110 speed setting is equal to or greaterthan 100%, the air cleaner 136 may be controlled to continue operationat a so-called high power level. As represented at block 608, if it isdetermined that the substantially current value of the indoor fan 110speed setting is less than 100%, the air cleaner 136 may be controlledto operate at a so-called low and/or lowest power level.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a simplified flowchart of a method 700 ofcontrolling an air cleaner 136 is shown. As represented at block 702,the method 700 may comprise establishing a functional relationshipbetween an air flow related criterion and a correlated power levelsetting for use in controlling the air cleaner 136. The functionalrelationship may comprise a mathematical function, such as, but notlimited to, a substantially linear function. However, in alternativeembodiments, the functional relationship may comprise non-linearfunctions and/or even a functional relationship that is at leastpartially not based on a mathematical function (i.e. a discrete valuecorrelation look-up table).

As represented at block 704, the method 700 may further comprisedetermining a substantially current value of the air flow relatedcriterion. For example, in some embodiments, a current indoor fan 110speed setting value may be determined.

As represented at block 706, the method 700 may further comprise usingthe determined substantially current value of the air flow relatedcriterion of block 704 and the functional relationship established ofblock 702 to determine a correlated power level setting value for theair cleaner 136.

As represented at block 708, the method 700 may further comprisecontrolling the air cleaner 136 as a function of the correlated powerlevel setting value determined at block 706. In some embodiments, suchcontrolling of the air cleaner 136 may comprise operating the aircleaner 136 at a power level setting equal to the correlated power levelsetting value determined at block 706.

In some embodiments, one or more aspects of the methods described abovemay be performed at least partially by the system controller 106 and/orthe indoor controller 124. In some embodiments, the indoor controller124 may be configured to communicate with and/or otherwise controloperation of the air cleaner 136. For example, the indoor controller 124may be configured for connection with the air cleaner 136 via lowvoltage control wiring that may be used to affect a power level of theair cleaner 136. In other embodiments, the air cleaner 136 may beconfigured for communication with the system controller 106 via theindoor controller 124, via the communication bus 128, and/or any othersuitable device and/or communication medium so that the systemcontroller 106 may communicate with and/or otherwise control operationof the air cleaner 136. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the aircleaner 136 and/or the indoor fan 110 may be controlled by any othersuitable component and/or via any suitable communication medium.

It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, controlling the indoorfan 110 and/or the air cleaner 136 in one or more of the mannersdescribed above may coincidentally reduce a so-called spark over noisesometimes generated by air cleaners 136 that comprise electrostaticprecipitation components. As such, it will be appreciated that thisdisclosure explicitly contemplates the implementations of the systemsand methods described herein as being capable of reducing an occurrenceor likelihood of user perception of such spark over noise in addition toaffecting an ozone concentration outputted by the air cleaners 136.

It will be appreciated that the systems and methods disclosed above aredirected primarily toward altering operation of the air cleaner 136(i.e. adjusting a power level of the air cleaner 136) in response tocharacteristics of the operation of the indoor fan 110 (i.e. thedetermined indoor fan 110 speed setting) to control concentrations ofozone outputted from the air cleaner 136. However, this disclosureexplicitly contemplates alternative embodiments which utilizesubstantially similar systems and methods to control concentrations ofozone outputted from the air cleaner 136 by altering operation of theindoor fan 110 in response to characteristics of the operation of theair cleaner 136. For example, in some embodiments, operating the aircleaner 136 at a relatively higher power level may result in an increasein the speed of the indoor fan 110.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the HVAC system 100 may comprise one or moreprocessing components capable of executing instructions related to themethods and/or operation described previously. The processing componentmay be a component of a computer system. FIG. 8 illustrates a typical,general-purpose processor (e.g., electronic controller or computer)system 1300 that includes a processing component 1310 suitable forimplementing one or more embodiments disclosed herein. In addition tothe processor 1310 (which may be referred to as a central processor unitor CPU), the system 1300 might include network connectivity devices1320, random access memory (RAM) 1330, read only memory (ROM) 1340,secondary storage 1350, and input/output (I/O) devices 1360. In somecases, some of these components may not be present or may be combined invarious combinations with one another or with other components notshown. These components might be located in a single physical entity orin more than one physical entity. Any actions described herein as beingtaken by the processor 1310 might be taken by the processor 1310 aloneor by the processor 1310 in conjunction with one or more componentsshown or not shown in the drawing.

The processor 1310 executes instructions, codes, computer programs, orscripts that it might access from the network connectivity devices 1320,RAM 1330, ROM 1340, or secondary storage 1350 (which might includevarious disk-based systems such as hard disk, floppy disk, optical disk,or other drive). While only one processor 1310 is shown, multipleprocessors may be present. Thus, while instructions may be discussed asbeing executed by a processor, the instructions may be executedsimultaneously, serially, or otherwise by one or multiple processors.The processor 1310 may be implemented as one or more CPU chips.

The network connectivity devices 1320 may take the form of modems, modembanks, Ethernet devices, universal serial bus (USB) interface devices,serial interfaces, token ring devices, fiber distributed data interface(FDDI) devices, wireless local area network (WLAN) devices, radiotransceiver devices such as code division multiple access (CDMA)devices, global system for mobile communications (GSM) radio transceiverdevices, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX)devices, and/or other well-known devices for connecting to networks.These network connectivity devices 1320 may enable the processor 1310 tocommunicate with the Internet or one or more telecommunications networksor other networks from which the processor 1310 might receiveinformation or to which the processor 1310 might output information.

The network connectivity devices 1320 might also include one or moretransceiver components 1325 capable of transmitting and/or receivingdata wirelessly in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as radiofrequency signals or microwave frequency signals. Alternatively, thedata may propagate in or on the surface of electrical conductors, incoaxial cables, in waveguides, in optical media such as optical fiber,or in other media. The transceiver component 1325 might include separatereceiving and transmitting units or a single transceiver. Informationtransmitted or received by the transceiver 1325 may include data thathas been processed by the processor 1310 or instructions that are to beexecuted by processor 1310. Such information may be received from andoutputted to a network in the form, for example, of a computer databaseband signal or signal embodied in a carrier wave. The data may beordered according to different sequences as may be desirable for eitherprocessing or generating the data or transmitting or receiving the data.The baseband signal, the signal embedded in the carrier wave, or othertypes of signals currently used or hereafter developed may be referredto as the transmission medium and may be generated according to severalmethods well known to one skilled in the art.

The RAM 1330 might be used to store volatile data and perhaps to storeinstructions that are executed by the processor 1310. The ROM 1340 is anon-volatile memory device that typically has a smaller memory capacitythan the memory capacity of the secondary storage 1350. ROM 1340 mightbe used to store instructions and perhaps data that are read duringexecution of the instructions. Access to both RAM 1330 and ROM 1340 istypically faster than to secondary storage 1350. The secondary storage1350 is typically comprised of one or more disk drives or tape drivesand might be used for non-volatile storage of data or as an over-flowdata storage device if RAM 1330 is not large enough to hold all workingdata. Secondary storage 1350 may be used to store programs orinstructions that are loaded into RAM 1330 when such programs areselected for execution or information is needed.

The I/O devices 1360 may include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), touchscreen displays, keyboards, keypads, switches, dials, mice, track balls,voice recognizers, card readers, paper tape readers, printers, videomonitors, transducers, sensors, or other well-known input or outputdevices. Also, the transceiver 1325 might be considered to be acomponent of the I/O devices 1360 instead of or in addition to being acomponent of the network connectivity devices 1320. Some or all of theI/O devices 1360 may be substantially similar to various componentsdepicted in the previously described.

At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations,and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of theembodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art arewithin the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that resultfrom combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of theembodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Wherenumerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such expressranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative rangesor limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly statedranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4,etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example,whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, RI, and an upper limit,Ru, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specificallydisclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range arespecifically disclosed: R=RI+k*(Ru−RI), wherein k is a variable rangingfrom 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . 50 percent,51 percent, 52 percent, . . . 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical rangedefined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specificallydisclosed. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of aclaim means that the element is required, or alternatively, the elementis not required, both alternatives being within the scope of the claim.Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should beunderstood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of,consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly,the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out abovebut is defined by the claims that follow, that scope including allequivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim isincorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claimsare embodiment(s) of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An HVAC system, comprising: an air cleaner; a fanconfigured to selectively generate an air flow, wherein at least aportion of the air flow is passed through the air cleaner; and acontroller comprising a user interface and configured to receive aninput of a threshold criterion value associated with the airflowgenerated by the fan via the user interface, determine a substantiallycurrent air flow related criterion value associated with the airflowgenerated by the fan, compare the air flow related criterion value tothe threshold criterion value, and control operation of the air cleanerin response to the result of the comparison between the air flow relatedcriterion value and the threshold criterion value, wherein the aircleaner is operated at a power level setting less than a maximum powersetting of the air cleaner in response to the result of the comparisonthat the air flow related criterion value is less than the thresholdcriterion value.
 2. The HVAC system according to claim 1, wherein theair cleaner comprises an electrical precipitation component.
 3. The HVACsystem according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured tocontrol the air cleaner by adjusting a voltage supplied to theelectrical precipitation component.
 4. The HVAC system according toclaim 2, wherein the fan is configurable in at least one of a fan Automode, a fan On mode, and a fan Circulating mode.
 5. The HVAC systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the air flow related criterion value is avolumetric flow-rate provided by the fan.
 6. The HVAC system accordingto claim 2, wherein the air flow related criterion value is a fan speedsetting of the fan.
 7. The HVAC system according to claim 3, wherein theair cleaner comprises a low power setting, a medium power setting, and ahigh power setting, and wherein the air cleaner is operated at the lowpower setting in response to the result of the comparison that the airflow related criterion value is less than the threshold criterion value.8. The HVAC system according to claim 4, wherein when the fan isconfigured in the fan Auto mode, the fan operates when the HVAC systemis operated in at least one of a cooling mode and a heating mode.
 9. TheHVAC system according to claim 4, wherein when the fan is configured inthe fan On mode, the fan operates constantly unless the controlleroverrides the fan On mode.
 10. The HVAC system according to claim 4,wherein when the fan is configured in the fan Circulating mode, the fanoperates when the HVAC system is operated in at least one of a coolingmode and a heating mode for a user defined time period.
 11. The HVACsystem according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured todetermine whether the air flow related criterion value is less than thethreshold criterion value.
 12. The HVAC system according to claim 7,wherein the air cleaner is operated at a power setting received via theuser interface in response to the result of the comparison that the airflow related criterion value is less than the threshold criterion value.